GEOLOGIC HAZARD OF FLORIDA, USA By: Dana Patricia Cruz &
Patrick Andrew Panizales
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
WHAT IS A GEOLOGIC HAZARD? Geologic hazards are natural forces or conditions that exist or could possibly exist that threaten your property or building. They are a large-scale, complex natural events that happen on land. That can cause immense damage, loss of property, and sometimes life.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
GEOLOGIC HAZARD Common types of geologic hazards seen throughout Florida, according to the Florida Geological Survey, include:
Karst terrain (sinkholes)
Coastal Erosion Floods Geochemical
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
SINKHOLES The geologic hazard most commonly threatening Florida buildings and properties are sinkholes. Sinkholes are part of Floridas natural environment. Surface water flows through sinkholes into the underlying limestone layers of the Floridan Aquifer System, the major source of drinking water in Florida.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
SINKHOLES There are three major types of sinkholes common to Florida.
SINKHOLES: SOLUTION SINKHOLES Solution sinkholes form where soluble bedrock such as limestone, is exposed at the land surface and subjected to weathering by dissolution. The surface water collects in the natural depressions and slowly dissolves into a sinkhole. Solution sinkholes are generally small in size and also slow to develop.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
SINKHOLES: COVER-COLLAPSE SINKHOLES Cover-collapse sinkholes occur where a solution cavity develops in the limestone to a size such that the overlying cover materials can no longer support its own weight.
Cover-collapse sinkholes may develop
abruptly (over a period of hours) and thus cause catastrophic damages. They occur where the covering sediments contain a significant amount of clay.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
SINKHOLES: COVER-SUBSIDENCE SINKHOLES Cover-subsidence sinkholes tend to develop gradually where the covering sediments are permeable and contain sand.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
SINKHOLES: NOTABLE EXAMPLS Some of the largest sinkholes in the world found in Florida are:
Devil's Millhopper Kingsley Lake Winter Park Sinkhole
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
COASTAL EROSION Coastal erosion is a cause for concern along many of Floridas beaches. Coastal erosion has both natural causes and causes related to human activities. Gradual coastal erosion results naturally from the very slow rise of sea-level. Severe coastal erosion can occur over a very short period of time when the state is impacted by hurricanes, tropical storms and other weather systems.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS Floods are generally related to storms that produce large amounts of rain over short periods of time, resulting in the accumulation of excessive amounts of water. Flooding is related to an areas topography and surface water features including its coastline. Flooding occurs in all parts of Florida. Hurricanes are often accompanied by storm- surge flooding and inland flooding due to extensive rains that are associated with the storms. While hurricanes are Floridas most obvious flood producers, it is important to realize that heavy rains can cause flooding in Florida at any time of the year and at any place.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane was the most intense hurricane to make landfall in the United States on record. The second tropical cyclone, second hurricane, and second major hurricane of the 1935 Atlantic hurricane season, the Labor Day Hurricane was the first of three Category 5 hurricanes to strike the United States at that intensity during the 20th century. Three ships ran afoul of the storm. Nearly every structure was demolished, and some bridges and railway embankments were washed away. The linksrail, road, and ferry boatsthat chained the islands together were broken. The main transportation route linking the Keys to mainland Florida had been a single railroad line. Craig Key, Long Key, and Upper Matecumbe and Lower Matecumbe Keys suffered the worst.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE After the third day of the storm corpses swelled and split open in the subtropical heat, according to rescue workers. The National Weather Service estimated 408 deaths from the hurricane. The railroad was never rebuilt, but temporary bridges and ferry landings were under construction as soon as materials arrived. The Florida Emergency Relief Administration reported that as of November 19, 1935, the total of dead stood at 423: 259 veterans and 164 civilians. These numbers are reflected on the Veterans Storm Relief Map (which see). By March 1, 1936, 62 additional bodies had been recovered bringing the total to 485: 257 veterans and 228 civilians
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: 1935 LABOR DAY HURRICANE
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: HURRICANE ANDREW Hurricane Andrew was a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that struck the Bahamas and Florida in mid-August 1992, the most destructive hurricane to ever hit the state. It was the strongest in decades and the costliest hurricane to make landfall anywhere in the United States until it was surpassed by Katrina in 2005. Andrew caused major damage in the Bahamas and Louisiana, but the greatest impact was felt in South Florida, with sustained wind speeds as high as 165 mph (270 km/h). Overall, Andrew caused about $25.3 billion in damage in Florida, making it the costliest hurricane to hit the state. Almost all of the damage in Florida was caused by strong winds. Of the 44 deaths attributed to the storm, 15 were direct fatalities, while 29 were indirectly caused by the storm.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: HURRICANE ANDREW The storm surge from Andrew caused more than $500 million in losses to boats and buildings. At the height of the storm, more than 1.4 million people lost electricity and another 150,000 were without telephone service. It is estimated that throughout Florida, the storm damaged 101,241 homes and destroyed approximately 63,000 others the vast majority in Dade County with about 175,000 people rendered homeless. In addition to homes, the storm damaged or destroyed 82,000 businesses, 32,900 acres of farmland, 31 public schools, 59 health facilities/hospitals, 9,500 traffic signals, 3,300 mi (5,300 km) of power lines, and 3,000 watermains. Approximately 20 million cubic yards (15 million m) of debris left by the storm were disposed of.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: HURRICANE ANDREW
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: HURRICANE IRMA THE IMPACT So far, Irma has been responsible for at least 50 deaths across the state. It is labelled as a Category 4 hurricane. In the Keys, the hurricane caused major damage to buildings, trailer parks, boats, roads, the electricity supply, mobile phone coverage, internet access, sanitation, the water supply and the fuel supply. In Miami, storm surge inundated Brickell Avenue with waist-deep water, and two high- rise tower cranes collapsed.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: HURRICANE IRMA THE IMPACT As of 6:41 pm. EDT on September 10 over 2.6 million homes in Florida were without power. Air traffic was reduced; at one point on September 10, there were no airliners over Florida. In the days after the hurricane, due to the heavy rainfall, numerous rivers had flooded their surrounding land, including residential areas. A large concern from flooding is contamination because people become exposed to dirty floodwaters and the potential for contaminated water to get into the local water supply is significant.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: HURRICANE IRMA THE IMPACT
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
FLOODS: HURICANE IRMA THE AFTERMATH FEMA's initial estimate indicated that 25% of buildings in the Keys were destroyed, 65% were significantly damaged, and 90% of houses sustained "some damage". By September 12, almost 4.4 million homes and businesses in Florida were without power, according to state officials. It is estimated that at least 50 people were killed by the storm in Florida alone. Of those deaths, 9 fatalities at a Hollywood, Florida nursing home, which lost air conditioning as a result of the hurricane. The economic cost of the hurricane could reach as much as $300 billion, according to insurance analysts.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
GEOCHEMICAL: RADON Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced naturally in the environment. Most of Florida is underlain by a rock unit, the Hawthorn Group, which contains variable amounts of the mineral carbonate fluorapatite. The radon gas itself is radioactive. It becomes a health risk when it is inhaled and radioactive decay occurs while it is in the lungs. Radon may pose a problem when it enters a home or building. Now that many homes and buildings are well insulated and air-conditioned, radon may enter through plumbing or cracks that develop in the slab or foundation and become trapped and concentrated.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
GEOCHEMICAL: MERCURY Mercury is a toxic element that probably has both anthropogenic (man made) sources and natural sources in the Florida environment. It is of special concern to pregnant women and young children. Mercury also may be found in fluorescent lamps and other devices such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors. When these items are no longer needed special care must be taken to properly dispose of them or mercury may enter the air and water of Floridas environment.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
GEOCHEMICAL: MERCURY Mercury is a toxic element that probably has both anthropogenic (man made) sources and natural sources in the Florida environment. It is of special concern to pregnant women and young children. Mercury also may be found in fluorescent lamps and other devices such as thermometers and blood pressure monitors. When these items are no longer needed special care must be taken to properly dispose of them or mercury may enter the air and water of Floridas environment.
September 22, 2017 | Adamson University
GEOCHEMICAL: ARSENIC Arsenic is a toxic element that has mainly anthropogenic sources in Florida. Cattle- dipping vats were used throughout Florida between 1906 and 1962 and held a solution that contained arsenic. The cattle were dipped in order to eradicate the tick that transmitted a disease called southern cattle fever Pesticides and herbicides are another source of arsenic in Florida. Pressure treated wood is an additional source of arsenic in Floridas environment